Numerous other issues regarding lease agreements

THANK YOU for highlighting the Consumer Protection Act in lease agreements of which most tenants and landlords are unaware.

In my opinion there are numerous other issues which also need to be highlighted:

1. What happens if a tenant is threatened that he or she is on a monthly tenancy and the rent should be paid on or before the first of every month?

If you pay before the first of every month, technically you are paying for 13 months in that year. (Obviously it would not be the case because the tenant would have an invoice that would prove the month for which he is paying).

The question is the wording. What is the situation regarding verbal leases and is 10% escalation per annum still the norm?

2. Many landlords in the CBD ask astronomical rents, which makes it difficult for many people to pay, and they exploit foreigners who are willing to pay them any amount in order to trade. Is this fair? There has to be some regulation to monitor rents, according to the area from which a person is operating.

If you look at the condition of some of these buildings in relation to the rent being asked, it is is absurd.

The estate agents should be able to give an indication of what amount should be charged per square metre in such cases.

3. I also wonder whether or not most of these buildings are insured.

It is interesting to note that whether a local or foreigner occupies as the main tenant, he ultimately sublets. Therefore the problem of overtrading comes into play and insurance companies are sticky when it comes to paying out claims if there is a problem.

4.The municipality was meant to force unscrupulous landlords to undertake renovations on their derelict buildings in order to glorify the CBD once again, but it seems that was just talk and no action.

5. I think rent should be charged according to area and condition of the building from which a person trades. M Joosab